President Trump said Wednesday that he likes Dina Powell as a potential replacement for outgoing U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, but that he hasn't made up his mind and is considering others.

"We like Dina [Powell]. Dina did great here," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Wednesday. But he said "we are looking at many people ... many people want that job."

Haley abruptly resigned as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Tuesday morning, catching many within the Trump administration completely off guard. Her end-of-year exit has triggered a scramble to find a replacement as the public face of the Trump administration at the world body.

Powell, who is close to Ivanka Trump, served in the Trump administration as the White House's deputy national security adviser but had a much more wide-ranging role and advised the president on a number of policy areas.

She left the administration this year to return to Goldman Sachs as a member of the investment bank’s management committee.

Powell was with Haley over the weekend in South Carolina, prompting speculation about whether she is favored to replace the outgoing ambassador. The president is reportedly very fond of her, and she has the "glamour" he highlighted that Haley has brought to the position.

Trump told reporters Tuesday afternoon that Powell is definitely on the list and is someone he is actively considering. "Dina is certainly a person I would consider," Trump said on the South Lawn of the White House Tuesday.

[Opinion: Here's who Trump should pick to replace Nikki Haley at the UN]